Library article transport system with inclined conveyor

ABSTRACT

A conveyor apparatus transports materials along an incline. The apparatus includes an endless base conveyor belt that is tensioned between lower and upper end rollers and is aligned with the incline. A drive means drives the base belt at a selected speed and in a selected direction along the incline. An endless hanging overhead conveyor belt is provided above the base belt, and has a substantially flat conveyance surface for covering materials placed on the base belt. A drive roller of the hanging overhead belt is coupled to the upper end roller of the base belt so as to drive the hanging overhead belt at a speed and direction similar to that of the base belt. The hanging overhead belt extending toward and in proximity to an input transport conveyor for transporting articles at a speed slower than the speed of the hanging belt.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a division of a prior patent application having Ser. No.09/09/594,268 filed on Jun. 15, 2000, entitled, “Inclined Conveyor,” theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a conveyor, andspecifically to conveyance along an incline.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Modern libraries have experienced increased demands from patrons,in terms of needs for larger and larger holdings of books and othertangible materials. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for publiclibraries, for example, to handle collection and distribution ofhundreds of thousands, or even millions, of books and materials. Tasksof librarians in handling these ever increasing volumes are oftenoverwhelming.

[0004] A particularly problematic librarian task involves receivingmaterial returned from patrons. This task, when manually performed bylibrary personnel upon such ever-growing volumes of books and materials,greatly affects time required to repetitively collect and distributeeach piece of material, i.e., “turn-around time” is negatively impacted.Moreover, manual performance of this task may lead to repetitivestress-type physical injuries.

[0005] In attempts to minimize these problems, procedures have beendeveloped to provide some degree of automation in the receiving task.For example, some libraries have proposed utilization of a conventionalsingle conveyor belt system for conveying materials returned frompatrons at, for example, an extra-library return depository or anintra-library return desk or, to a materials check-in processingstation.

[0006] In many libraries, the return depository or return desk is on onefloor of a library building, while the check-in processing station is onanother floor. Thus, it is desired that a conveyor system transportreceived library materials upward from one floor to another along anincline. Such an incline is often necessarily steep (greater than about25 to 30 degrees) due to structural and architectural requirements ofthe library building.

[0007] It has been observed that in conventional single belt conveyors,materials being conveyed upward tend to slip or tumble down the beltwhen the incline is steep, due mainly to an insufficient coefficient offriction existing between the belt and the materials. It has also beenobserved that conveyance along a less-than-steep incline may not even bepossible when the single belt surface in contact with the materialsbecomes contaminated or worn and loses some of its gripping ability.Making the belt “sticky”, for example through use of adhesive-typesurface coatings, is not desired in that such coatings may impartunwanted debris to the materials and may therefore be detrimental to thecleanliness of the materials.

[0008] In attempts to solve this steep incline conveyance problem,“cover belt” or “twin belt” conveyors have been proposed as alternativesto conventional single belt conveyors. Examples of these alternativeconveyors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,995 entitled, “Cover BeltConveyor,” issued to Blattermann, et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,659entitled “Twin Belt Conveyor Apparatus” issued to Uranaka, et al.However, known conveyors of these types are best suited only forconveyance of bulk-type materials in that they commonly incorporate twodriven flat belts each tensioned between head and tail pulleys, makingfor a relatively narrow conveyance space between the-belts. These otherconveyors may also utilize meshing, engaging, or mating protrusions oftwo cooperating belts for conveyance of the material there between. Ifused for conveyance of library-like materials, the driven and tensionedbelts, and in some instances the cooperating protrusions, of theseconveyors may damage the materials due to excessive forceful action ofthe tensioned belts and protrusions.

[0009] Further, it has been observed that bulk-type conveyors utilizingtroughs, tubes, flights, or buckets, as disclosed for example in U.S.Pat. No. 4,535,884 entitled “Bulk-Handling Belt Conveyor” issued toSuppan and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,918 entitled “En-Mass Conveyor ForVertical Or Steep Delivery Of Bulk Material” issued to Tschernatsch, etal., are unsuitable for library use due to varying sizes of thelibrary-like materials and potential damage caused thereto.

[0010] Thus, there exists a need for a conveyor that performs the taskof conveying library-like materials along a steep incline, withoutdamaging the materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an inclinedconveyor that performs a function of transporting materials along asteep incline angle relative to ground.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inclinedconveyor that performs a function of transporting, along a steepincline, library-like materials from a receiving station to a check-instation.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide aninclined conveyor that performs a function of transporting, along asteep incline, library-like materials from a receiving station, to acheck-in station and to a storage container.

[0014] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide aninclined conveyor that does not damage library-like materials.

[0015] A still further object of the present invention is to provide aninclined conveyor that may be incorporated into an existing librarybuilding without a need for extensive remodeling of the building.

[0016] In accordance with the present invention, an inclined conveyorfor conveyance of library-like materials from a receiving station to acheck-in station includes an endless base belt conveyor. A base ormaterials support belt is tensioned around a drive roller assemblylocated closest to a ground plane, and around an upper roller at anopposing end. A tension-less freely hanging overhead endless belt isprovided in juxtaposition with and above the base belt, and is driven bya slaved roller drive scheme in proximity to the upper roller of thebase belt. A chain coupled to the upper roller of the base belt drivesthe slaved roller drive scheme. The overhead belt is structured so as tofreely cover the base belt and materials placed thereon, and to providerelatively secure containment of materials upon the base belt, therebyallowing transport of the materials on the base belt along an incline,steep or otherwise, without tumbling or slipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a material handling systemfor receipt of library-like materials, including an inclined conveyor ofthe present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a partial transparent schematic side view of theinclined conveyor of the material handling system of FIG. 1, constructedin accordance with the present invention, and depicting a non-operativeor at rest condition.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a partial illustration of the side view of FIG. 2,depicting an operative or in-use condition.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a materialhandling system control scheme in accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a magnified cross-sectional illustration of analternative component of the conveyor depicted in FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a partial illustration of FIG. 3, depicting a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a magnified illustration of a component of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In the following exposition, the words “book”, “material”, and“library-like material” as used herein are synonymous, and are intendedto include (i) any conventional library material such as, but notlimited to, a bound book, a “paperback” book, a materials container(such as a magazine series receptacle or holder), a diskette cassette, avideo tape, or (ii) any other tangible media that may have dimensions oran appearance similar or analogous to a conventional book.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, thereshown is a perspective viewillustration of an exemplary embodiment of an inclined conveyor 10 ofthe present invention, incorporated into an overall material handlingsystem for receipt of library-like materials being returned by patronsto a library.

[0026] In this exemplary material handling system, inclined conveyor 10provides, in part, movement of incoming library materials from areceiving station 20 located in an exterior wall of a library (generallyidentified by character “L”) to a vicinity of an automated materialsidentification and check-in apparatus 30, and finally to a storagecontainer or bin 40 by way of a slide chute 45. Bin 40 may be asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,770 entitled “A Library Book Bin with aVertically Adjustable Floor” issued to Frich, and as provided by a SMARTBIN™ library storage container available from Tech Logic Corporation ofOakdale, Minn.

[0027] Further in the exemplary embodiment, the material handling systemmay include a horizontal input belt conveyor 50 for transportingmaterials received at receiving station 20 to an input or lower end ofinclined conveyor 10. Similarly, the system may also include ahorizontal output belt conveyor 60 for transporting materials from anupward or output end of inclined conveyor 10.

[0028] For simplicity and clarity of the drawings, conveyors 50 and 60are illustrated in FIG. 1 as motorized belt conveyors (drive motors notshown). However, any type of motorized conveyor may, of course, beemployed.

[0029] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a transparent schematic side view ofsteep incline conveyor 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Also depicted in thedrawing is receiving station 20 embodying, for example, an automaticpatron-activated library material depository designed for “hands-free”operation such as that described in co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/507,614 filed on Feb. 21, 2000, and entitled “Access DeviceFor A Materials Depository.” Further depicted is automated materialsidentification and check-in apparatus 30 embodying, for example, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) device such as that also described inthe aforementioned co-pending application.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 1 and particularly to FIG. 2, steepincline conveyor 10 includes a conveyor frame 100 having left, right,and bottom side panel members 110, 115, and 120 respectively. As notedabove, FIG. 2 is shown in transparent fashion such that left side panelmember 110 of frame 100 is not illustrated, so that inner details ofconveyor 10 may be readily ascertained. Frame 100 is provided forattachment and support of various components to conveyor 10 that will bedescribed below.

[0031] Similarly, associated with conveyor 50 are panel members 111,116, and 121, and with conveyor 60 are panel members 112, 117, and 122.As may be ascertained from the drawings, the aforementioned panelmembers of conveyors 50 and 60 may be joined together with the variouspanel members of frame 100 of conveyor 10 to form an overall completehousing for the material handling system.

[0032] In a particular installation of conveyor 10, frame 100 may besupported by way of support members 105. Support members 105, beingstructurally similar to conventional jack-type stands, function tosupport and positionally stabilize frame 100, particularly when conveyor10 is in operation and may be experiencing various operational stresses.The aforementioned panel members of frame 100 are preferably fabricatedfrom 14 ga. cold-rolled sheet steel and welded together.

[0033] Additionally in FIG. 1, materials identification and check-inapparatus 30 is shown as being supported above output conveyor 60 by wayof brackets 35 a-b fastened at their opposing ends to upper portions ofpanel members 110 and 115.

[0034] With particular reference again to FIG. 2, conveyor 10 includes alower endless base belt 130 and a tension-less freely hanging endlessoverhead belt 140. Endless base belt 130 is tensioned between a head orupper roller 132 and a tail or lower roller 134 by way of a tensioningscheme, e.g., by roller positioning adjustment. Base belt 130 preferablyhas a durameter rating of 30 to 40, for providing non-slip grippingability for materials placed thereon as will be further described.Conversely, overhead belt 140 is preferably selected to be relativelysmooth. Length and width dimensions of each belt 130 and 140 are, ofcourse, chosen with regard to needs of a particular installation. In alibrary, for example, belts 130 and 140 are commonly chosen to havewidths of about 18 inches each, for adequate transport of a typicalvariety of material sizes. Lengths of each belt 130 and 140 are largelydependent, however, upon the selected length of conveyor 10.

[0035] A drive scheme for base belt 130 may be provided by way of amotorized drive drum 136 and a cooperating drive roller 138. Drive drum136 may be driven by any suitable technique (not illustrated).

[0036] As may be appreciated with continued reference to FIG. 2,tension-less freely hanging endless overhead belt 140 is, unlike basebelt 130, not tensioned between head and tail rollers. Rather, belt 140is driven by way of a slaved drive roller 142 and cooperating tensioningrollers 144 a-b acting collectively as a head roller. The particularabsence of a tail roller scheme provides, as will be further described,an ability of belt 140 to conform to and partially encase or envelopematerials on base belt 130. When conveyor 10 is not in operation, it isto be understood that a majority of belt 140 freely lies upon belt 130.When conveyor 10 is in operation, however, an amount of belt 140 lyingon belt 130 is reduced due to partial volumes of materials beingtransported and “taking up slack” in belt 140 as will be furtherdescribed.

[0037] Slaved drive roller 142 is motively coupled to upper roller 132of base belt 130 through a drive chain 150. It is to be understood thatmotive force is imparted to drive chain 150 by rotational motion ofupper roller 132 through operational movement of base belt 130, as willbe more fully described. The motive coupling of upper roller 132 todrive roller 142 through drive chain 150 may be accomplished by anysuitable means such as, for example, providing chain sprockets (notillustrated) on each roller 132 and 142 to accommodate drive chain 150.It is to be particularly appreciated that slaved drive roller 142 incooperation with tensioning rollers 144 a-b collectively provide a“traction motor” scheme for overhead belt 140.

[0038] Conveyor 10 preferably also includes a base belt support bed 160and an overhead belt guide panel 170. Support bed 160 is welded alongits lengthwise edges orthogonally to left and right side panel members110 and 115 (as depicted in FIG. 2), respectively, to provide support tobase belt 130 when materials are placed thereon in operation of conveyor10. Overhead belt guide panel 170 is structurally similar to support bed160, and is similarly welded orthogonally along its lengthwise edges toleft and right side panel members 110 and 115 to provide a guide meansto overhead belt 140 in operation of conveyor 10.

[0039] Turning, now, to FIG. 3, there shown is a partial illustration ofthe side view of the invention shown in FIG. 2, in operation of steepincline conveyor 10. In FIG. 3, receiving station 20, check-in apparatus30, horizontal conveyors 50 and 60, and frame 100 have each been removedfrom the drawing for clarity thereof. Further, FIG. 3 depicts anexemplary conveyance of library-like materials (reference characters“M”) upward along support bed 160 (from a vicinity of drive roller 138to a vicinity of upper roller 132) that have been introduced to conveyor10 by way of, for example, horizontal conveyor 50 (not illustrated, asaforestated).

[0040] As drive drum 136 and drive roller 138 operate to drive base belt130, in a counter-clockwise sense viewed as a whole for upwardconveyance of materials M, upper roller 132 responsively rotates in acounter-clockwise sense, thereby driving drive chain 150 and thus slaveddrive roller 142 also counter-clockwise. In this manner, overhead belt140 is caused to be responsively driven in a clockwise sense, viewed asa whole. It is to be appreciated in this exemplary operation of conveyor10 that belts 130 and 140 move cooperatively to convey materials Mupward. Specifically, the cooperation between belts 130 and 140 isachieved upon materials M due to, in part, an addition of an effectiveweight to each item of material M upon base belt 130 from a weight ofoverhead belt 140 acting downwardly upon material M toward base belt130. Therefore, material M is prevented, to a significant degree, fromslipping or tumbling downwardly along base belt 130. Also, theaforementioned durameter rating of 30 to 40 of base belt 130 providessufficient gripping ability on materials M. Further, it may beappreciated that since belts 130 and 140 are driven at, or nearly at,the same speed through the aforedescribed slaved traction drive scheme,materials M being transported are acted upon by two cooperatively movingbelt surfaces. That is, as may be appreciated by reference again to FIG.3, overhead belt 140 acts to conform to and partially encase or envelopeeach item of material M being conveyed along base belt 130. Suchenveloping provides further static stability to material M againstslipping or tumbling down base belt 130.

[0041] Also, it is to be appreciated in the drawing that belt 140 formsa freely hanging tension-less loop (generally outlined by a dotted lineand identified by reference character “L”) near lower roller 134. Inoperation of conveyor 10, loop L is diminished or “taken up” as morematerials M are added to base belt 130, and belt 140 conforms to andpartially envelops those added materials M.

[0042] Preferably in operation of the overall material handling system,operational speed ratios of horizontal input conveyor 50 to inclinedconveyor 10 and to horizontal output conveyor 60 are factors of 1.5 and2.5, respectively. For example, if input conveyor 50 were selected torun at a speed of 60 ft./min, then inclined conveyor 10 would beselected to run at about 1.5 times that speed, or at about 90 ft./min.In like manner, output conveyor 60 would be chosen to run at a speed ofabout 2.5 times the speed of input conveyor 50, or at about 150 ft./min.Such exemplary speed ratios have been found to efficiently operate thematerial handling system for prevention of “bottlenecks” at inputconveyor 50, for optimized operation of conveyor 10, and for orderlyoutflow of materials M from output conveyor 60.

[0043]FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary control schemefor operation of a materials handling system including steep inclineconveyor 10. In the diagram, materials receiving station 20 (asdescribed in the aforementioned co-pending application) responsivelygenerates a system signal 400 indicative of an in-use or not-in-usecondition of receiving station 20. Start-up signal 400 is then providedas an input to a logical decision gate 405. Gate 405 determines whetherreceiving station 20 is in use based upon signal 400.

[0044] If station 20 is in use, then gate 405 outputs a logical “YES” or“1” signal to a 4-channel device controller or relay 410. Responsively,device controller 410 allows transfer of sufficient electrical energy toelectric motors associated with each conveyor 10, 50, and 60 foroperation thereof. Concurrently with the energizing of each conveyormotor, device controller 410 also allows transfer of sufficientelectrical energy to materials identification and check-in apparatus 30(preferably, an RFID device) for operation thereof.

[0045] Conversely, if station 20 is not in use, then gate 405 outputs alogical “NO” or “0” signal to 4-channel device controller or relay 410.Responsively, device controller 410 stops transfer of electrical energyto the electric motors associated with each conveyor 10, 50 and 60; andconcurrently, device controller 410 then also stops transferringelectrical energy to apparatus 30.

[0046] It should be understood that the aforedescribed control schememay be controlled by a computerized control system such as a computerworkstation or the like. Although the operation and control of theconveyor 10 and overall materials handling system of the presentinvention has been described herein in simple control terms andconcepts, it should be appreciated that alternative or more complexcontrols and systems are all within the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention as claimed herein.

[0047] While the present invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the accompanying figures, it will beunderstood, however, that other modifications thereto are of coursepossible, all of which are intended to be within the true spirit andscope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that componentsof the invention aforedescribed may be substituted for other suitablecomponents for achieving desired similar results. For example, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention maybe selectively adapted for conveyance of materials either up or down anincline (i.e., as an incline or decline conveyor 10 with a correspondingpositional change of various elements of the invention, as may benecessary).

[0048] Also, as depicted in magnified cross-section in FIG. 5, overheadbelt guide panel 170 together with overhead belt 140 may include av-guide arrangement for providing longitudinal centering of overheadbelt 140 between panels 110 and 115 in operation of conveyor 10.Specifically, overhead belt 140 could include a longitudinal “v-strip”149 fixed and centered along belt 140 that would mate with alongitudinally centered “v-channel” 179 in panel 170. In thisarrangement, v-strip 149 runs along and within the v-channel 179 inoperation of belt 140, thereby providing such longitudinal centering ofbelt 140.

[0049] Further, support members 105 could be hung from a ceilinginstallation as an alternative to their jack-stand type of functiondepicted in the drawings.

[0050] Also illustrated in FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment ofconveyor 10 that is particularly useful when a steep incline conveyor 10exceeds about 70 degrees. In the drawing, spring loaded bogey wheel arms600 are coupled to overhead belt guide panel 170 for providingadditional pressure to belt 140 as it conforms to and partially encasesor envelopes each item of materials being conveyed along base belt 130.Such additional pressure on belt 140 imparted thereto by arms 600provides enhanced stability to material M against slippage or tumbling.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 7, an arm 600 is shown in magnifiedfashion for clarity. Therein, arm 600 includes a bogey wheels 610, awheel arm 620 coupled to wheel 610, and a spring 630 coupled to arm 620having an attachment loop 640 for the aforesaid coupling of arm 600 tooverhead belt guide panel 170.

[0052] It is to be appreciated that arms 600 particularly provideenhanced conformity of belt 140 to materials M when a large volume ofmaterials are being introduced to conveyor 10. That is large volumes ofmaterials M tend, in operation of conveyor 10, to “run together” or formeffectively large material M spaces between belts 130 and 140; thus, theaforedescribed enveloping of belt 140 may e diminished due to aconsequent lack of slack in belt 140 and diminished ability of belt 140to lie on belt 130. Arms 600 alleviate this problem by introducing andadditional force to belt 140 and, in turn, to materials M on belt 130 sothat materials M may be held in place thereon.

[0053] Additionally, each motor for operation of each conveyor 10, 50,and 60, may be chosen to develop a desired amount of revolutions perminute, for providing the aforementioned operational speed ratios. TheseRPM choices may be achieved by selection of various horsepower motors,or possibly by a rheostat-like control of identical motors.

[0054] Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatany suitable conveyance or transport technique may be substituted forbase bet 130. Such techniques include rolling or sliding beds orshuttles, a fixed roller bed, or even simply a low-friction surface forsliding movement of materials M thereupon.

[0055] Lastly, the choice, of course, of mechanical sizes and strengthsof various components are all a matter of design choice depending uponintended use and objects intended to be handled by the system of thepresent invention.

[0056] Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications inform and detail of the present invention may also be made therein, againwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of receiving library-like materialsbeing returned to a library, wherein said materials are transportedsubstantially along an incline reference plane at a selected anglerelative to a substantially horizontal ground reference plane, saidmethod comprising: providing a materials depository for receiving saidmaterials, wherein said materials depository is in proximity to a firstendless conveyor belt; placing said materials received at saiddepository on said first endless conveyor belt, wherein said firstendless conveyor belt is provided above said around reference plane andsubstantially aligned with said incline reference plane with said firstendless conveyor belt having a first selected length and a firstsubstantially flat conveyance surface material for conveyance of saidmaterials placed thereon, and wherein said first endless conveyor beltis tensioned between head and tail ends thereof covering said materialswith a portion of a second endless conveyor belt hanging from a head endthereof in proximity to said head end of said first endless conveyorbelt and provided above said first endless conveyor belt, said secondendless conveyor belt having a second selected length and a secondsubstantially flat conveyance surface for said coverings; driving saidfirst endless conveyor belt and said second endless conveyor belt at aselected speed and in a selected direction along said incline referenceplane, whereby said materials are held substantially in place upon saidfirst endless conveyor belt by way of said second endless conveyor beltcovering said materials, with said first and second endless conveyorbelts being driven at said selected speed and in said selecteddirection; and conveying said materials by way of said first and secondendless conveyor belts substantially along said incline reference planeto an identification means for providing cataloging identification ofsaid materials.
 2. The method of receiving library-like materials ofclam 1, wherein (i) said materials depository includes a slide chute and(ii) a storage container receives said materials from saididentification means.
 3. The method of receiving library-like materialsof claim 1, wherein said identification means is selected from a groupcomprising a bar code reader and a radio frequency identificationsystem.
 4. A library article transport system comprising: a firsttransport conveyor for transporting said library articles, placedthereon, from an input end toward a tail end at a first speed; aninclined second transport conveyor assembly including, a driven secondtransport conveyor capable of transporting, at a second speed, saidlibrary articles from a lower receiving end toward an output end, andexiting therefrom, a tension-less endless belt extending from a tractordrive thereof in proximity to said second transport conveyor output endto a lower freely hanging end in proximity to both said first transportconveyor tail end and said second transport conveyor lower receivingend, said tension-less endless belt having a selected peripheral lengthsufficiently long so as to be capable of freely resting on an upwardfacing side of said second transport conveyor so as to conform over andrest on any articles lying on said upward facing side of said secondtransport conveyor and in between said downward facing side of saidsecond tension-less endless belt and said upward facing side of saidsecond transport conveyor, and a drive mechanism for driving said secondtension-less endless belt so as to cause said downward facing sidethereof to move in said first direction at substantially said secondselected speed, where said second speed is faster than said first speed.5. The library article transport system of claim 4 wherein said inclinedsecond transport conveyor is an endless belt conveyor.
 5. The libraryarticle transport system of claim 4 further comprising a third transportconveyor for transporting, at a third speed, said library articlesexiting from said inclined second transport conveyor to pass inproximity to an identification means for providing catalogingidentification of said materials.
 6. The method of receivinglibrary-like materials of claim 5, wherein said identification means isselected from a group comprising a bar code reader and a radio frequencyidentification system.